Fabian Devlin to step down as Head of Communications at Chance to Shine

After 11 years running communications for leading children’s sports charity, Chance to Shine, Fabian Devlin is stepping down from his role as Head of Communications on 1 June 2019.

Devlin joined the charity in March 2008 and was responsible for raising the profile of Chance to Shine while it was still in its infancy.

Among his achievements are the rebrand of the charity in 2014 from the Cricket Foundation to Chance to Shine, arranging a successful Guinness Book of Records attempt for the ‘largest ever cricket lesson in a single venue’ in July 2017 at Lord’s; and setting up a tapeball cricket match outside 10 Downing Street hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May in September 2017.

Commenting on his decision to step down Devlin, 43, said: “It was definitely the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career so far. This is unquestionably the best communications job in sport and it’s been such a privilege to witness Chance to Shine go from strength to strength over the past decade; and for me to play a part in their success.

“When I started the role back in 2008, I never could have imagined that I’d be meeting the four millionth child to play cricket through our programmes, as I did last summer. I think the time is right for me now to look at fresh challenges as a freelance communications consultant and to hand over the communications baton to someone else who can take Chance to Shine to even greater heights at a very exciting period for the charity and for cricket as a whole.”

Devlin joined Chance to Shine from BSkyB where he worked on Sky News and Sky One publicity. Previously, he helped to promote The National Lottery at Camelot; and before this, he was at Independent Television News (ITN) where he cut his communications teeth, publicising ITV News and Channel 5 News.

After finishing at the start of June, Devlin plans to work as a freelance communications consultant.

Chairman of Chance to Shine, Sir Donald Brydon said, “Fabian has made a major contribution to the evolution of Chance to Shine and will always be remembered for the brilliant brand redesign he led five years ago.”

Chance to Shine Chief Executive Laura Cordingley added: “Chance to Shine has a lot to thank Fabian for and after 11 years of being an exceptionally dedicated and integral member of the team, helping to grow Chance to Shine and contributing to the charity’s success. We wish Fabian all the best in his new venture in to the world of freelance comms work.”

The charity will now begin the process of recruiting Devlin’s replacement.

Gifts to the charity are currently being doubled thanks to the support of Chance to Shine Patron Adrian Beecroft. With your help, we can continue to spread the power of cricket to state schools and disadvantaged communities throughout England and Wales.

Most read

Chance to Shine has built a powerful bank of free cricket teaching resources for primary schools so teachers can lead their own cricket sessions. The resources include lesson plans, instructional videos and top tips.

Chance to Shine is a national cricket charity that works in state schools and communities to spread the power of cricket. We believe that all children should be given the opportunity to play and learn through cricket.
We believe that cricket teaches children valuable skills like communication, teamwork and respect that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Chance to Shine work in state primary schools across England and Wales supporting schools to deliver cricket coaching to their pupils. We teach cricket in primary schools and support teachers with free resources including lesson plans, videos and tips from the professionals.

Chance to Shine is an independent charity that works to spread the power of cricket in schools and communities across the country. Set up as the Cricket Foundation, the charity aims to provide opportunities in state schools and deprived communities.

We provide competition opportunities for children in state secondary schools. We have also developed a set of digital resources for teachers. Chance to Shine will also deliver a girls' cricket programme in secondary schools, training young leaders and developing life skills through playing the sport.